RFA Olmeda
replenishing HMS Invincible post-war (Courtesy - MOD, Navy)
Vital Fleet Support -
Away from its few shore bases, the Navy simply could not
operate without the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which like its
parent service sent a large proportion of its strength to
the
South Atlantic before
the end of the war - no less than 22 of the 27 ships in
commission. Civilian-manned and flying the Blue Ensign,
the RFA's usually supplied warships underway by Replenishment at
Sea (RAS) techniques:
- Heavy furnace fuel oil for older
ships, diesel and aviation fuels and fresh water were supplied
through hoses
- Dry goods by jackstay and
- Most ships were equipped to handle helicopters for
vertrep, and if needed to provide the RFA's own ASW
screen.
The types of ships,
displacement tons, and helicopters embarked were:
Fleet
replenishment ships supplied
ammunition, food and dry stores: |
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"Regent",
"Resource" |
22,800 tons |
Wessex |
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"Fort
Austin", "Fort Grange" |
17,200 tons |
Wessex/Sea Kings |
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"Stromness"
- Stores support ship |
14,000 tons |
helicopter deck |
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Fleet
tankers carried all three types of
fuel as well as fresh water, and could
replenish three ships at a time,
including one astern: |
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"Olmeda",
"Olna" (plus "Olwen"
- did not take part) |
36,000 tons |
Sea Kings/Wessex |
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"Tidepool",
"Tidespring" |
27,400 tons |
Wessex |
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"Blue
Rover" - one of five small fleet
tankers; also carries dry cargo |
11,500 tons |
helicopter deck |
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Support
tankers normally transported
ship and aviation fuel between terminals
and depots, but could replenish the fleet
tankers and directly refuel other ships.
The two classes were considerably
supplemented by civilian tankers: |
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"Appleleaf",
"Brambleleaf",
"Bayleaf" |
26,000 tons |
(no flightdeck) |
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"Pearleaf"
and "Plumleaf" - older ships |
26,000 tons |
(no flightdeck) |
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Landing
ship logistics (LSL's) were RO-RO vessels
equipped with bow and stern doors and
ramps for loading and unloading troops
and tanks: |
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"Sir
Bedivere", "SIR
GALAHAD" (lost by air attack),
"Sir Geraint",
"Sir Lancelot" (UXB damage),
"Sir Percivale",
"Sir Tristram" (UXB damage). |
5,500 ton |
helicopter deck |
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Helicopter
support ship equipped for naval training
in the handling and maintenance of
helicopters: |
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"Engadine" |
8,000 tons |
helicopter deck |
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Separate from the RFA was
the Royal
Maritime Auxiliary Service with 400 civilian-manned ships providing
marine services in and around naval bases. Two ships
sailed south:
Ocean tug
"Typhoon" (1,030 grt) Mooring, salvage and boom vessel
"Goosander" (900 grt).
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